L.a. Can't Dodge Mass Punishment

Baseball Suspended And Fined 19 Dodgers Players And Coaches For Brawling With Cubs Fans Last Week In Chicago.

May 25, 2000|By Jason Reid

LOS ANGELES -- In what is believed to be the largest mass suspension and harshest penalties for an incident in baseball history, 19 Los Angeles Dodgers were suspended for a total of 84 games and fined $72,000 Wednesday for their roles in a brawl with fans at Wrigley Field in Chicago last week.

Continuing its crackdown on inappropriate in-game behavior, the commissioner's office suspended and fined 16 Dodgers players and three coaches for their roles in last Tuesday's melee that erupted in the bottom of the ninth inning of the team's 6-5 victory.

A fan seated behind the uncovered visitors' bullpen allegedly struck backup catcher Chad Kreuter on his head and took his cap. Kreuter entered the stands along the right-field line, and his teammates and coaches followed, triggering fights that delayed play for nine minutes.

The Dodgers said they plan to appeal the ruling. Players are allowed to continue playing while the appeal process unfolds.

Kreuter received an eight-game suspension and a $5,000 fine. Coaches Glenn Hoffman, Rick Dempsey and John Shelby also were suspended eight games each and fined $5,000.

Pitcher Carlos Perez, infielder-outfielder F.P. Santangelo and outfielder Gary Sheffield each received five games and was fined $5,000. Pitcher Mike Fetters was suspended four games and fined $4,000.

Bullpen catcher Travis Barbary also was suspended for five games and fined $5,000.

The suspensions will be staggered as determined by the commissioner's office. The Dodgers stand to lose players for a total of 60 games, leaving the team short-handed at times. Suspended players cannot be replaced on the active 25-man roster.

Frank Robinson, vice president of on-field operations, and Kevin Hallinan, baseball's executive director of security and facility management, conducted a weeklong investigation that led to the ruling. Robinson spoke with Kreuter and watched television videotapes of the incident. Kreuter was the only Dodger interviewed in the investigation.

Several major-league officials said a strong message needed to be delivered about intolerable conduct, and Robinson said he believes that has been accomplished.

``In no way will baseball ever condone uniform personnel going into the stands,'' said Robinson.